B1 Verb Tenses 21 min read Medio

Contar experiencias: La primera, segunda, tercera vez

¡A dominar "It's the first time I've...
para que compartas tus experiencias
únicas" con seguridad!
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Practícalo

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When counting how many times you have done something, always use the Present Perfect tense after the ordinal number.

  • Use 'It is the first/second time' + Present Perfect. Example: 'It's the first time I've been here.'
  • Never use the Simple Present after this phrase. Wrong: 'It's the first time I am here.'
  • Use the Past Perfect if the main verb is in the past. Example: 'It was the first time I had seen it.'
It is + the + [1st/2nd/3rd] + time + Subject + have/has + Past Participle

Overview

### Overview
Como hablantes nativos de español, tenemos una ventaja enorme al aprender inglés: ambos idiomas comparten una estructura lógica similar en muchas áreas. Sin embargo, hay momentos específicos donde nuestra intuición nos puede jugar una mala pasada. Uno de esos momentos es cuando queremos contar o cuantificar nuestras experiencias, específicamente cuando usamos frases como
Es la primera vez que...
o
Es la tercera vez que...
.
En inglés, esta estructura no es solo una forma de contar; es una herramienta de precisión gramatical que permite situar una experiencia dentro de una secuencia temporal que llega hasta el presente. La construcción It's/This is the [ordinal number] time [that] Subject + Present Perfect es fundamental para cualquier estudiante de nivel B1 que desee sonar natural y preciso.
¿Por qué es tan importante? Porque en la comunicación diaria, especialmente en contextos profesionales o sociales, constantemente estamos validando nuestra experiencia. Imagínate que estás en una reunión de trabajo en Londres o chateando por WhatsApp con un amigo en Nueva York.
No es lo mismo decir
He ido a París
que decir
Es la segunda vez que he estado en París
. La segunda frase añade un contexto de frecuencia y relevancia actual que la primera no tiene. Esta estructura actúa como un marcador lingüístico que guía a tu interlocutor a través de tu línea de tiempo personal, destacando la novedad o la repetición de un evento en el momento justo en que ocurre.
### How This Grammar Works
Para entender cómo funciona esta gramática, primero debemos mirar cómo pensamos en español. En nuestro idioma, solemos decir:
Es la primera vez que vengo aquí
. Nota que usamos el presente simple (vengo).
Si intentamos traducir eso literalmente al inglés (*It's the first time I come here*), cometeremos un error que delata inmediatamente que estamos traduciendo mentalmente.
En inglés, la lógica es distinta: si estás viviendo una experiencia en este momento, esa experiencia se suma a tu mochila de vivencias. Por lo tanto, el inglés requiere el uso del Present Perfect (have/has + past participle) porque considera que la acción se ha completado o se está completando como parte de tu historial hasta el presente.
Aquí te explico los componentes clave de esta estructura:
  1. 1El Iniciador (It's o This is): Usamos It's (contracción de It is) para referirnos a la situación de manera general. This is se usa a menudo cuando queremos ser más enfáticos o cuando estamos señalando algo físicamente en ese instante. Por ejemplo, si estás sosteniendo una taza de café, podrías decir: This is the first time I've tried this brand.
  1. 1El Artículo Definido (the): Este es innegociable. Estamos hablando de *la* vez específica en una serie (la primera, la segunda, la última). Sin the, la frase pierde su sentido de orden.
  1. 1El Número Ordinal (first, second, third...): Aquí cuantificamos la experiencia. Es vital usar números ordinales y no cardinales. No decimos la uno vez, decimos la primera vez.
  1. 1El Nexo Opcional (that): Al igual que en español usamos que, en inglés podemos usar that. Sin embargo, en el inglés moderno, especialmente el hablado, es extremadamente común omitirlo. Ambas formas son correctas, pero omitirlo te hará sonar más fluido.
  1. 1El Sujeto y el Present Perfect: Esta es la parte donde ocurre la conexión temporal. El Present Perfect (have eaten, has visited, have seen) conecta el pasado con el ahora. Al decir I have seen, estás diciendo que, en tu historial de vida hasta este segundo, esta es la instancia número X en la que eso sucede.
### Formation Pattern
La formación de esta estructura es muy consistente. Una vez que memorizas el patrón, puedes aplicarlo a casi cualquier experiencia. Aquí tienes la fórmula desglosada:
Fórmula:
It's / This is + the + [ordinal number] + time + (that) + Subject + Present Perfect
Veamos cómo se aplica esta fórmula con diferentes sujetos y números ordinales en la siguiente tabla comparativa:
| Estructura en Inglés | Equivalente Lógico en Español | Ejemplo Completo |
|---|---|---|
| It's the first time I've... | Es la primera vez que (he)... | It's the first time I've driven an electric car. |
| This is the second time she's... | Es la segunda vez que ella (ha)... | This is the second time she's lost her keys this week. |
| It's the third time we've... | Es la tercera vez que (hemos)... | It's the third time we've seen this movie. |
| It's the last time they've... | Es la última vez que (han)... | It's the last time they've offered that discount. |
Detalles importantes de la formación:
  • Contracciones: En el habla cotidiana, casi siempre contraemos el sujeto con el auxiliar have/has. Decimos I've en lugar de I have, y she's en lugar de she has. ¡Ojo! No confundas she's (ella ha) con she is (ella es/está). En este contexto, siempre es has.
  • Participios Pasados: Recuerda que el Present Perfect requiere la tercera columna de los verbos (los participios).
  • Regular: visited, played, watched.
  • Irregular: seen, been, eaten, flown.
  • Números Ordinales: Asegúrate de repasar la ortografía de los números ordinales, ya que algunos cambian un poco: first, second, third, fourth, fifth (no fiveth), ninth (no nineth), twelfth (no twelveth).
### When To Use It
Esta estructura es increíblemente versátil. Aquí te presento las situaciones más comunes donde un hablante de nivel B1 debería usarla para sonar más natural:
#### 1. Para resaltar una novedad absoluta
Cuando algo es totalmente nuevo para ti, usar the first time con el Present Perfect enfatiza la importancia del momento. Es muy común en viajes o al probar comida nueva.
  • It's the first time I've been to a stadium. (Es la primera vez que estoy/he estado en un estadio).
  • This is the first time I've ever eaten spicy food. (Es la primera vez que pruebo comida picante).
#### 2. Para expresar frustración por repetición
Cuando algo sucede más veces de las que te gustaría, esta estructura ayuda a comunicar ese sentimiento de ya basta.
  • It's the fourth time I've told you to clean your room! (¡Es la cuarta vez que te digo que limpies tu cuarto!).
  • This is the third time my flight has been delayed today. (Es la tercera vez que retrasan mi vuelo hoy).
#### 3. Para hablar de logros y hitos personales
Es ideal para entrevistas de trabajo o conversaciones sobre tu carrera.
  • It's the second time I've led a marketing project. (Es la segunda vez que lidero un proyecto de marketing).
  • This is the first time our company has reached this goal. (Es la primera vez que nuestra empresa alcanza este objetivo).
#### 4. Para conectar una acción pasada con un sentimiento presente
El uso del Present Perfect aquí no es accidental; sirve para explicar por qué te sientes de cierta manera ahora.
  • It's the first time I've felt so welcomed in a new job. (Es la primera vez que me he sentido tan bienvenido en un trabajo nuevo).
### Common Mistakes
Como profesor, veo que los hispanohablantes suelen caer en las mismas trampas debido a la interferencia de nuestro idioma materno (L1 transfer). Aquí te detallo los errores más críticos para que los evites:
Error 1: Usar el Presente Simple en lugar del Present Perfect.
Este es el error número uno. En español decimos
Es la primera vez que vengo
. Si dices *It's the first time I come*, el angloparlante te entenderá, pero sonará gramaticalmente incorrecto.
  • Incorrecto: *It's the first time I see this movie.*
  • Correcto: It's the first time I've seen this movie.
  • Por qué sucede: Porque en español el presente simple cubre esta función, pero en inglés el presente simple se reserva para hábitos o verdades universales, no para experiencias acumuladas.
Error 2: Olvidar el artículo the.
En español a veces omitimos artículos, pero en esta estructura inglesa, the es esencial para señalar la posición en la serie.
  • Incorrecto: *It's first time I've been here.*
  • Correcto: It's the first time I've been here.
Error 3: Usar el Pasado Simple.
A veces, los estudiantes piensan:
Como ya ocurrió, uso el pasado
. Pero si la frase empieza con It's (en presente), el resto de la frase debe estar conectado al presente.
  • Incorrecto: *It's the second time I went to London.*
  • Correcto: It's the second time I've been to London.
  • Nota: Solo usarías el pasado simple si toda la frase estuviera en pasado: It was the second time I had gone to London (pero eso ya es nivel B2/C1).
Error 4: Confundir números cardinales con ordinales.
  • Incorrecto: *It's the two time I've called him.*
  • Correcto: It's the second time I've called him.
### Contrast With Similar Patterns
Es útil comparar esta estructura con otras formas de hablar de frecuencia o experiencia para no confundirlas. Mira esta tabla de contrastes:
| Estructura | Enfoque | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| It's the first time I've... | Cuenta el orden de la experiencia actual. | It's the first time I've tried sushi. |
| I have never... before | Enfatiza la falta total de experiencia previa. | I've never tried sushi before. |
| I have... many times | Habla de frecuencia general, sin contar esta vez específica. | I've eaten sushi many times. |
| It was the first time I had... | Habla de una experiencia en un punto pasado ya terminado. | It was the first time I'd seen her. |
¿It's the first time vs I've never... before?
Ambas transmiten una idea similar, pero el enfoque cambia. It's the first time I've seen this pone el foco en el ahora y en la importancia de este momento. I've never seen this before pone el foco en tu pasado y en la ausencia de esa experiencia.
En una conversación natural, puedes usar ambas, pero la estructura con It's the... time suele sonar más sofisticada y precisa.
El uso de ever:
Es muy común añadir la palabra ever para dar énfasis, especialmente con first time.
  • It's the first time I've ever seen the snow.
Esto equivale a nuestro
Es la primera vez en mi vida que...
o
Es la primera vez que veo la nieve *jamás*
. Añade un toque emocional o de asombro.
### Quick FAQ
1. ¿Puedo usar esta estructura para el futuro?
No directamente con esta forma. Para el futuro dirías algo como: Next week will be the first time I've traveled alone. Aunque es posible, lo más común es usarla para el presente (It's) o el pasado (It was).
2. ¿Es obligatorio usar that?
No, para nada. De hecho, si quieres sonar más como un nativo, te sugiero que lo omitas. It's the first time I've been here suena más fluido que It's the first time that I've been here. El that se usa más en escritura formal o cuando quieres hablar muy despacio para enfatizar algo.
3. ¿Qué pasa si quiero decir que es la última vez?
¡Buena pregunta! Funciona exactamente igual. Puedes usar the last time.
  • It's the last time I've helped him with his homework. (Es la última vez que le he ayudado...).
Sin embargo, ten cuidado: si te refieres a una decisión futura de no hacer algo más, solemos decir: This is the last time I'm helping you (usando Present Continuous para futuro).
4. ¿Puedo usar This is e It's indistintamente?
En el 90% de los casos, sí. La única diferencia es que This is se siente un poco más inmediato y físico. Si estás en medio de una cena increíble, dirías This is the first time.... Si estás contando la historia al día siguiente por teléfono, dirías It was the first time....

Present Perfect Structure with Ordinals

Introductory Phrase Subject Auxiliary (Have/Has) Past Participle Rest of Sentence
It's the first time
I
have
seen
this.
It's the second time
you
have
been
here.
It's the third time
he
has
called
me.
It's the fourth time
she
has
lost
it.
It's the fifth time
it
has
rained
today.
It's the sixth time
we
have
met
them.
It's the seventh time
they
have
tried
this.

Common Contractions

Full Form Contracted Form Usage Note
It is the first time
It's the first time
Most common in speech
I have seen
I've seen
Standard informal/neutral
He has been
He's been
Standard informal/neutral
It was the first time
It was the first time
No contraction for 'was'
I had seen
I'd seen
Standard for Past Perfect

Meanings

A specific construction used to indicate the frequency or order of an experience within a person's lifetime or a specific period.

1

Current Experience

Describing an event happening right now as a numbered occurrence in your life.

“It's the first time I've ever eaten sushi.”

“This is the second time she has lost her keys this week.”

2

Past Experience

Describing a past event as a numbered occurrence relative to that specific time in the past.

“It was the first time I had ever felt so nervous.”

“That was the second time they had met.”

3

Emphasis with 'Ever'

Using 'ever' to add emphasis to the uniqueness or rarity of the experience.

“It's the first time I've ever seen a whale.”

“This is the third time I've ever had to do this.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Contar experiencias: La primera, segunda, tercera vez
Tipo de Experiencia Estructura Oración de Ejemplo Qué Significa
Primera vez en la vida
`It's the first time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
`It's the first time I've tried durian.`
"Nunca había probado el durian antes de este momento."
Segunda instancia
`It's the second time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
`This is the second time she's seen a Broadway show.`
"Ella había visto un show de Broadway antes de este."
Repetida (conteo mayor)
`It's the Nth time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
`It's the tenth time they've flown on this airline.`
"Han volado con esta aerolínea nueve veces anteriormente."
Enfatizando el ahora
`It's the Xth time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
`It's the first time I've felt this calm all week.`
"No me había sentido tan calmado hasta ahora, esta semana."
Versión formal
`This is the first time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
`This is the first time I have submitted a formal complaint.`
"Esta es mi experiencia inicial al presentar una queja formal."
Versión informal
`It's the first time + (that) + S + Present Perfect`
`It's the first time I've actually aced a test!`
"No había sacado una calificación perfecta en un examen hasta ahora."

Espectro de formalidad

Formal
This marks the first occasion on which I have visited this establishment.

This marks the first occasion on which I have visited this establishment. (Dining out)

Neutral
It's the first time I've been to this restaurant.

It's the first time I've been to this restaurant. (Dining out)

Informal
First time I've ever been here!

First time I've ever been here! (Dining out)

Jerga
Never been here before, man.

Never been here before, man. (Dining out)

Contando Tus Experiencias

It's the Nth time I've...

Componentes Clave

  • 'It's / This is' Frase introductoria
  • 'the' Artículo definido (¡crucial!)
  • Ordinal Number primero, segundo, tercero...
  • 'time' Indicador de instancia
  • Present Perfect have/has + participio pasado

Usos Comunes

  • First-ever experience Novedad, algo nuevo
  • Repeated actions Cuántas veces ha pasado algo
  • Emphasizing current moment Conexión con el ahora
  • Life stories Contar historias personales

No Confundir Con

  • Simple Past Para eventos pasados únicos y completados
  • 'X times' Frecuencia general, no instancia específica
  • Future Tenses Para planes futuros

'It's the Nth Time' vs. 'X Times'

It's the Nth time I've...
It's the first time I've seen this. Destaca esta instancia específica como la inicial.
This is the third time she's been late. Enfatiza la instancia actual en una secuencia.
It's the tenth time I've tried this recipe. Se centra en el orden/progresión de los intentos.
I've done X times.
I've seen this movie once. Declaración simple de la frecuencia total.
She's been late three times. Indica el número total de ocurrencias.
I've tried this recipe ten times. Reporta el número acumulativo de intentos.

Eligiendo 'It's the Nth time I've...'

1

¿Estás hablando de cuántas veces algo ha sucedido hasta AHORA?

YES
Ve al paso 2.
NO
Usa Pasado Simple u otro tiempo verbal.
2

¿Es una instancia específica y numerada (primera, segunda, tercera, etc.)?

YES
Usa 'It's the + Número Ordinal + time'.
NO
Usa 'X times' para frecuencia general.
3

¿La acción está completada o en curso, conectándose con el presente?

YES
Usa Presente Perfecto (have/has + Participio Pasado).
NO
Reevalúa. Esta estructura requiere Presente Perfecto para experiencias.

Cuándo Usar 'It's the Nth Time'

🎉

Primeras Veces

  • • Primera vez probando una comida
  • • Primera vez visitando un país
  • • Primera vez viendo un fenómeno
💖

Alegría Repetida

  • • Segunda vez viendo una película favorita
  • • Tercera vez leyendo un libro amado
  • • Cuarta vez escuchando un álbum
exasperated_face

Molestia Repetida

  • • Quinta vez perdiendo las llaves
  • • Segunda vez perdiendo un autobús
  • • Tercera vez que un amigo llega tarde
🏆

Hitos

  • • Décima vez corriendo un maratón
  • • Primera vez obteniendo un ascenso
  • • Tercera vez logrando una meta
Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

1

This is my first time here.

This is my first time here.

2

It is my first time in London.

It is my first time in London.

3

Is it your first time?

Is it your first time?

4

This is the first time for me.

This is the first time for me.

1

It's the first time I have been to this shop.

It's the first time I have been to this shop.

2

This is the second time she has called.

This is the second time she has called.

3

It is the third time he has lost his pen.

It is the third time he has lost his pen.

4

Is this the first time you have seen this movie?

Is this the first time you have seen this movie?

1

It's the first time I've ever driven a car.

It's the first time I've ever driven a car.

2

This is the second time that I've had to tell you to be quiet.

This is the second time that I've had to tell you to be quiet.

3

It's the third time he's failed the test this year.

It's the third time he's failed the test this year.

4

Is it the first time you've stayed in a five-star hotel?

Is it the first time you've stayed in a five-star hotel?

1

It was the first time I'd ever seen such a beautiful sunset.

It was the first time I'd ever seen such a beautiful sunset.

2

That was the third time they had broken up that month.

That was the third time they had broken up that month.

3

This is the only time I have ever felt truly understood.

This is the only time I have ever felt truly understood.

4

It wasn't the first time he'd been late for a meeting.

It wasn't the first time he'd been late for a meeting.

1

This marks the first time that the two nations have signed a peace treaty.

This marks the first time that the two nations have signed a peace treaty.

2

It was the first time that the theory had been put to a rigorous test.

It was the first time that the theory had been put to a rigorous test.

3

This is the fourth time this week that the system has crashed unexpectedly.

This is the fourth time this week that the system has crashed unexpectedly.

4

Rarely is it the first time that a genius has been recognized in their own era.

Rarely is it the first time that a genius has been recognized in their own era.

1

Should this be the first time you have encountered such a clause, please seek legal counsel.

Should this be the first time you have encountered such a clause, please seek legal counsel.

2

It was the first time that the protagonist had been forced to confront his own mortality.

It was the first time that the protagonist had been forced to confront his own mortality.

3

This is by no means the first time that the public has been misled by such rhetoric.

This is by no means the first time that the public has been misled by such rhetoric.

4

The 1920s represented the first time that women had been granted the right to vote in many countries.

The 1920s represented the first time that women had been granted the right to vote in many countries.

Fácil de confundir

Counting Experiences: First, Second, Third Time vs Simple Past vs. Present Perfect

Learners often use Simple Past because the event feels finished.

Counting Experiences: First, Second, Third Time vs This is my first time vs. It's the first time I've...

Learners try to mix the two structures.

Counting Experiences: First, Second, Third Time vs Once vs. First Time

Using 'once' to mean 'the first time'.

Errores comunes

✗

It is first time I see this.

✓

It is the first time I have seen this.

Missing the article 'the' and using simple present instead of present perfect.
✗

This is my one time here.

✓

This is my first time here.

Using a cardinal number (one) instead of an ordinal number (first).
✗

It's the first time I am here.

✓

It's the first time I've been here.

Using 'am' (simple present) instead of 'have been'.
✗

It is the first time for see him.

✓

It is the first time I have seen him.

Using 'for + infinitive' which is a common literal translation from some Romance languages.
✗

It's the second time I'm calling you.

✓

It's the second time I've called you.

Using Present Continuous instead of Present Perfect.
✗

This is the third time he has lose his keys.

✓

This is the third time he has lost his keys.

Using the base form of the verb instead of the past participle.
✗

It's the first time I have went there.

✓

It's the first time I have been there.

Using 'went' (past simple) instead of 'been' (past participle).
✗

It was the first time I have seen it.

✓

It was the first time I had seen it.

Tense mismatch: 'was' (past) requires 'had seen' (past perfect).
✗

It's the first time I've ever saw him.

✓

It's the first time I've ever seen him.

Incorrect verb form after 'have'.
✗

Is it the first time you are visiting?

✓

Is it the first time you have visited?

Using present continuous in a question.
✗

This is the first time that he would have seen it.

✓

This is the first time that he has seen it.

Over-complicating with conditional 'would have' when a simple present perfect is needed.
✗

It's the first time I've ever been being here.

✓

It's the first time I've ever been here.

Incorrect use of the progressive perfect.
✗

That marks the first time she has had been invited.

✓

That marks the first time she has been invited.

Double auxiliary error.

Patrones de oraciones

It's the first time I've ever ___.

This is the second time ___ has ___ this week.

It was the first time they had ever ___.

Is it the first time you've ___?

Real World Usage

Travel & Tourism constant

It's the first time I've been to the Eiffel Tower!

Customer Service very common

This is the second time I've had to call about my internet connection.

Social Media common

First time I've ever tried blue hair! What do you think?

Job Interviews occasional

This is the third time I have applied for a position at this firm.

Dating common

It's the first time I've felt this way about someone.

Doctor's Office occasional

Is this the first time you've experienced this pain?

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💡

Siempre usa 'the'

Recuerda incluir siempre 'the' antes del número ordinal (por ejemplo, 'the first time', 'the second time'). Decir 'It's first time...' suena antinatural y es incorrecto gramaticalmente. "It's the first time I've visited London."
⚠️

El Presente Perfecto es Clave

No uses el Pasado Simple después de 'It's the Xth time'. Para experiencias hasta ahora, necesitas el Presente Perfecto (por ejemplo, 'I've seen', 'she's done'). 'It's the first time I saw' es un error muy común. "It's the first time I've seen a whale."
🎯

'Ever' para énfasis

¿Quieres resaltar de verdad una experiencia única? Añade 'ever' después de 'I've' o 'she's'. Por ejemplo, 'It's the first time I've ever tasted durian!' hace que suene aún más especial. "It's the first time I've ever tasted durian!"
🌍

Comparte tus 'primeras veces'

En culturas de habla inglesa, hablar de tus 'primeras veces' (la primera vez que haces algo, la primera vez que visitas un lugar) es una forma común de conectar y compartir experiencias personales. ¡Es un excelente inicio de conversación! "It's the first time I've tried surfing!"
💡

'That' es opcional

Normalmente puedes omitir 'that' después de 'time' en esta estructura, sobre todo al hablar. Ambas 'It's the first time I've been' y 'It's the first time that I've been' son correctas. "It's the first time I've been to Canada."

Smart Tips

Stop! Change 'am' to 'have been'.

It's the first time I am in New York. → It's the first time I've been to New York.

If you start with 'It was', you must use 'had'.

It was the first time I have seen a mountain. → It was the first time I had seen a mountain.

Add 'ever' right before the past participle.

It's the first time I've seen this. → It's the first time I've ever seen this.

Treat 'the only time' exactly like 'the first time'.

This is the only time I see him. → This is the only time I have seen him.

Pronunciación

It's the FIRST time I've been here.

Stress on Ordinals

In the phrase 'It's the first time,' the word 'first' (or second, third) usually receives the primary sentence stress to emphasize the order.

/aɪv/ becomes /əv/ or just /v/

Contraction Reduction

The 've' in 'I've' or 's' in 'he's' is often very short and almost disappears in fast speech.

Rising-Falling on Ordinal

It's the ↗FIRST↘ time...

Conveys surprise or significance of the event.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

First time? Perfect time! (Always use the Perfect tense for the first time).

Asociación visual

Imagine a timeline of your life. Every time you do something new, you put a gold star on the timeline. The 'Present Perfect' is the string connecting your current star back to the beginning of the line.

Rhyme

When it's the first or second time, Present Perfect makes it rhyme!

Story

Imagine a traveler named Tim. Every time Tim enters a new country, he says, 'It's the first time I've been here!' He uses 'have been' because he's carrying his passport (his past) with him into the new country (the present).

Word Web

FirstSecondThirdTimeHaveHasBeenEver

Desafío

Look around your room. Find three things you are doing for the 'first time' today (e.g., 'It's the first time I've opened this book today') and say them out loud.

Notas culturales

British speakers are very strict about using the Present Perfect with 'first time'. Using the Simple Past ('It's the first time I went') sounds much more 'wrong' to a British ear than to some American ears.

While the Present Perfect is the standard, in very casual American speech, you might occasionally hear the Simple Past ('It's the first time I saw that'), though it is still technically incorrect in formal grammar.

Using 'This marks the first time...' is a common way to start press releases or formal announcements in English-speaking corporate environments.

The use of the perfect aspect with ordinals developed as English moved away from using the simple present for all 'state' descriptions in the Middle English period.

Inicios de conversación

“

Is this the first time you've used an app to learn English?

“

Tell me about the first time you've ever traveled alone.

“

How many times have you seen your favorite movie?

“

Is it the first time you've eaten spicy food?

Temas para diario

Write about a 'first time' experience that was very important to you (e.g., first time you drove, first time you met a best friend).
Describe your current day using at least three ordinal experiences (e.g., 'This is the second time I've had coffee today').
Imagine you are a world traveler. Write a postcard about your first time in a fictional country.
Reflect on your English learning journey. When was the first time you felt confident speaking?

Errores comunes

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

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Incorrect

Correcto

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Test Yourself

Elige la forma correcta para completar la oración.

It's the first time I ___ sushi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: have eaten
Para experiencias hasta el presente, usamos el tiempo Presente Perfecto después de 'It's the first time'.
Encuentra y corrige el error en la oración. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

This is second time I've seen that movie.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This is the second time I've seen that movie.
Necesitas incluir el artículo definido 'the' antes del número ordinal 'second'.
Elige la oración correcta: Opción múltiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's the first time I've been to Paris.
La estructura correcta usa 'the' antes del número ordinal y el tiempo Presente Perfecto ('I've been').

Score: /3

Ejercicios de practica

8 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

It's the first time I ___ (see) such a big dog!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: have seen
After 'It's the first time,' we use the Present Perfect (have + past participle).
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

It is the second time I am visiting London.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: am visiting
The present continuous 'am visiting' should be the present perfect 'have visited'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct? Opción múltiple

Select the correct option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It was the first time I had been there.
When the main verb is 'was', the following clause must be in the Past Perfect.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

time / the / it's / I've / third / called / him

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's the third time I've called him
The structure is: It's + the + ordinal + time + subject + perfect tense.
Match the start of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

1. It's the first time... | 2. It was the first time... | 3. This is the only time...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-I've eaten this, 2-I'd eaten this, 3-I've ever felt this
Present intro matches Present Perfect; Past intro matches Past Perfect.
Choose the best response for the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Do you like this pizza? B: Yes! ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's the first time I've tried it
The Present Perfect is used to describe a new experience in the present.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

You can use the Simple Present after 'It's the first time' if the action is happening right now.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Even if the action is happening now, English requires the Present Perfect for this construction.
Build a sentence using: (It / be / second time / she / lose / phone) Sentence Building

What is the correct sentence?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's the second time she has lost her phone.
Requires 'It's the [ordinal] time' + Present Perfect.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Completa la oración con la forma verbal correcta. Completar huecos

It's the fifth time she ___ her keys this week!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: has lost
Identifica y corrige el error gramatical. Error Correction

I think it's the first time I ever feel so tired.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I think it's the first time I've ever felt so tired.
Selecciona la oración gramaticalmente correcta. Opción múltiple

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This is the third time they've visited this museum.
Traduce la oración al inglés. Traducción

Translate: 'È la prima volta che ho visto un'aurora boreale.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["It's the first time I've seen a northern light.","It's the first time I have seen a northern light.","This is the first time I've seen a northern light.","This is the first time I have seen a northern light."]
Ordena estas palabras para formar una oración correcta. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's the first time I've ever tried skydiving.
Empareja el inicio de la oración con su final correcto. Match Pairs

Match the phrases:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Elige la palabra correcta para completar la oración. Completar huecos

I can't believe it; this is my ___ time trying to bake this cake!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: first
Corrige el error en la oración dada. Error Correction

It was the first time I have visited New York.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's the first time I've visited New York.
Selecciona la opción que usa el número ordinal correctamente. Opción múltiple

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This is the fifth time I've read this book.
Traduce la oración al inglés. Traducción

Translate: 'Questa è la seconda volta che ho parlato con il direttore.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["This is the second time I've spoken with the manager.","This is the second time I have spoken with the manager.","It's the second time I've spoken with the manager.","It's the second time I have spoken with the manager."]
Pon las palabras en el orden correcto para formar una oración. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This is the first time that I've seen my mother cry.
Empareja el escenario con la frase 'Nth time' apropiada. Match Pairs

Match the scenarios:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

Preguntas frecuentes (8)

Yes, but only if you follow it with a noun or prepositional phrase (e.g., 'This is my first time in Japan'). If you want to use a verb, you must use the 'It's the first time I have...' structure.

In English, the Simple Present is for habits or general truths. A 'first time' is an experience that connects your past to now, which is the specific function of the Present Perfect.

No, 'that' is optional. 'It's the first time I've been here' and 'It's the first time that I've been here' are both correct, though the version without 'that' is more common in speech.

For the future, we usually use the Future Perfect: 'By next week, it will be the third time I have visited him.' However, this is quite advanced and less common.

Adding 'ever' is very common in spoken English because it adds emphasis to the newness of the experience.

Yes! 'This is the last time I have helped you!' (though 'This is the last time I am helping you' is also used for future intent).

Usually 'been' is used if you are currently at the place. 'Gone' is used if you are talking about the trip as a completed action.

The most common mistake is using the Simple Past: 'It's the first time I saw it.' Remember, if the first part is 'It IS', the second part must be 'have/has'.

Scaffolded Practice

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In Other Languages

Spanish low

Es la primera vez que [presente]

English uses perfect aspect; Spanish uses present tense.

French low

C'est la première fois que [présent]

French logic is 'it is happening now'; English logic is 'it has happened until now'.

German low

Es ist das erste Mal, dass [Präsens]

German uses simple present.

Japanese none

...no wa hajimete desu

Japanese uses a noun-based construction ('the coming is the first time').

Arabic low

هذه هي المرة الأولى التي [present]

Arabic does not use a perfective aspect here.

Chinese none

这是我第一次 [verb]

Chinese relies on word order and particles rather than verb aspect.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Presente Perfecto: Acciones Repetidas (Experiencias de Vida)
Next
Presente Perfecto con Superlativos (el mejor que he visto nunca...)

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